Champions Get To Defend Title

06.03.2014

EUROCUP WOMEN

Turning Point: Dynamo Moscow exploded with a 17-2 run across the first and second quarter break, which both erased the first-leg arrears in double-quick time and swung the momentum heavily in their favour at an early stage.

Stats Don't Lie: The Russian side dominated on the glass 39-28 and some sharp shooting from long range of 58%, made it a tough night for Villeneuve all over the floor.

Game Heroes: Tina Charles was a constant thorn in the side of the visitors and eventually logged a fine double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds. She was supported by Irina Sokolovskaya, who also excelled in the paint and amassed an efficient 16 points.

Tina Charles led the way for Dynamo Moscow with a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double

Current EuroCup Women holders Dynamo Moscow will defend their title in the 2014 final after erasing a six-point deficit from the first leg of the semi-finals to collect an emphatic 86-66 success in game two against Villeneuve D'Ascq.

The reigning champions managed to shift up through the gears early and inside seven minutes, a basket from Tina Charles had extinguished the visitors' lead from game one.

Sensing they might be able to jump out and rally home their advantage, Dynamo kept their foot on the throats of Villeneuve and found themselves with a double-digit lead in the tie at 29-13 after another score by Charles.

On the ropes and threatening to be floored completely, the away team eventually found their legs and posted a 13-3 run to briefly level matters across the tie via a jump-shot from Johanne Gomis.

But, they were undone by a strong finish to the half by the 2013 winners and Dynamo continued into the third quarter.

Then, when Veronika Dorosheva made it 66-42 with a big triple, there looked to be no way back for Villeneuve and so it proved.

The club from the Russian capital had few problems in easing their way to back-to-back final appearances.

Gomis finished with 17 points, five assists and three steals for the losing team.